An Illustrated History of

iOS

1

iPhone OS 1

June 2007

When Steve Jobs presented the first iPhone in 2007, it was of course the device that gained center stage. The software that powered it (running on the same foundation as Mac OS) was only mentioned briefly.

Only several years later would it occupy its rightful place - as a major brand by itself!

2

iPhone OS 2

July 2008

The iPhone's home screen emitted some kind of magic attraction: many developers wanted to see their own app icon on this screen. Apple reacted by providing a Software Developer Kit with iPhone OS 2 - and thereby opened up its new platform to external developers all over the world.

The other end of the story was the new AppStore: it transformed millions of iTunes Music customers into potential app consumers.

3

iPhone OS 3 / iOS 3

June 2009

The third major version started its life as "iPhone OS 3" and was finally renamed iOS 3 when a "bigger iPhone" was announced: the iPad hit the streets in April 2010!

The new iOS version brought many new features like copy / paste, the famous Spotlight search, and voice control.

Beyond that, many apps appeared in a new, much debated look: Skeuomorphism added stitched leather and dog ears to Apple's design language.

4

iOS 4

June 2010

With multitasking, an eagerly-awaited feature had finally made it to iOS 4: a double press on the home button now allowed users to quickly switch between apps.

Features like folders and wallpapers made the home screen more customizable. And an improved Mail app and the new FaceTime rounded off a feature-packed iOS update.

On top of that, the new iPhone 4 model introduced the new, high-resolution Retina screens.

5

iOS 5

October 2011

Many of the new features in iOS 5 did not only concern iOS - but the whole Apple ecosystem. With iCloud, for example, Apple had laid a huge (and expensive) cornerstone to connect its devices evermore - an attempt that had failed with its predecessor "MobileMe".

iOS 5 also brought many messaging-related improvements: besides the new iMessage and Notification Center, the system integrated much closer with Twitter.

Lastly, iOS 5 introduced a well-read and quick-witted young lady: Siri became the virtual assistant for millions of iPhone owners.

6

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iOS 6

September 2012

The removal of two (up to this point) standard apps makes iOS 6 a special update: YouTube and Google Maps were no longer preinstalled. Apple broke free of its dependence on Google - and introduced its own mapping service.

A tighter integration with Facebook and the new Passbook app were some of the other notable additions.

8

iOS 7

September 2013

The world, once more, is flat: iOS 7 marks the most extensive design change in the history of the platform. With a flat, simplistic, and colorful redesign, Jony Ive took command of the design on iOS, too.

Apart from the completely new look, iOS 7 also brought a host of new features: Touch ID allows unlocking of devices via fingerprint scan; Control Center catches up with Android's quick settings toggles; and AirDrop finally allows to easily transfer files from one Apple device to another.

9

iOS 8

September 2014

Once again, Apple brought its desktop and mobile platforms closer together: the Continuity concept made it possible to read and write iMessages or answer phone calls on your iPhone and your Mac.

All in all, iOS 8 focused heavily on making the platform more extensible and open: third-party apps could now add their own Notification Center Widgets and more easily access the photo library.

With iOS 8, Apple also tapped into "new" markets: HealthKit and HomeKit could be the door openers into markets of the future.

10

iOS 9

September 2015

Proactivity is a core topic in iOS 9: the system is now more aware of contextual information like time or location. Suggesting the right apps, websites, music and news stories are all examples of iOS trying to better predict its users' needs.

On a related note, the Maps application now includes transit directions and suggests nearby points of interests.

Without any major new "flagship" features, however, iOS 9 mainly concentrated on performance & stability improvements.

11

iOS 10

September 2016

iOS 10 promoted iMessage to more than just a simple app: Stickers and a separate App Store transform it into a full-blown platform, wide open to third-party developers.

Speaking of opening iOS to developers, Siri can now interact with non-Apple apps from the App Store and the new Home app lets you control your smart home.

Another very visible change concerned Notifications which can now directly display photos and videos.

12

iOS 11

September 2017

Along with iOS 11 came a rework of the App Store: a new design and regular editorial content should help users find apps more easily.

iOS 11 came with lots of improvements like a customizable Control Center, the Quick Type keyboard, and new features for the Photos app.

But much of it was clearly targeted at the iPad: the new Files app and Dock, a new concept for better multitasking and drag & drop interactions dramatically improved working on the iPad.